Tracy Davis
Alternate image for Tracy Davis

Tracy Davis

Partner

Denver
303.825.7000C 303.550.2092

I approach my clients’ questions and problems the same way that I approached the season when I was a college coach – focusing on creative strategies and teamwork to achieve the goal. In over 20 years as lawyer, this approach has helped me successfully advise clients on achieving their goals, whether that is procurement and contracting for a major construction project, litigating a project dispute, or advising public entities like airports in their operations. I enjoy the complexity and creativity of public infrastructure projects and am focused on helping clients move their projects from concept to reality.

Tracy’s extensive experience spanning over three decades, coupled with her diverse portfolio of both private and public-sector clients, uniquely positions her to help airports, transit agencies, and other clients bring their projects to reality and to ensure they are complying with federal and other legal requirements. Tracy brings a wealth of knowledge with her specialized focus on procurement, construction, financing, operations and maintenance of infrastructure.

Tracy has experience procuring, contracting, and managing construction projects using various project delivery methods, such as design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager methods, and public-private partnerships (P3/PPP) design-build. Her experience addressing intricate procurement and contracting challenges, and managing and litigating disputes, enables her to develop innovative solutions at all stages of a project, from development to turnover.

Prior to joining the Firm, Tracy was Assistant General Counsel at Denver International Airport (DEN). In this capacity, she played a crucial role as a member of the leadership teams for both the City Attorney’s Office and DEN. Tracy’s responsibilities included providing legal counsel, strategic guidance, and policy advice to DEN and City officials. She advised DEN in the termination and wrap up of a P3 project and on the procurement, contracting, and management of major capital projects including terminal and concourse development and the highly technical baggage system. She also advised DEN in numerous other legal areas associated with its operations, including compliance with FAA and TSA requirements, revenue use and diversion, and airline affairs.

Representative Experience

Prior to joining the Firm

  • Advised DEN and City officials on legal, policy, and strategic matters, including airport operations; real estate, environmental and multi-modal transportation issues; baggage system construction, maintenance, and operations; procurement; FAA grant assurance compliance and revenue diversion; project and airport finance; federal, state and City law; disputes; organized labor; and the Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation.
  • Advised DEN on its capital improvement program and project development; negotiate and draft complex design, construction and related contracts using a variety of construction delivery and financing methods including FAA and TSA-financed $500 million baggage system renovation, and construction programs over $1 billion including the Great Hall renovation and Concourse Expansion programs; serve on the executive Steering Committees for major capital projects.
  • Advised DEN, the Mayor, and City Council members regarding the termination of the Great Hall P3 contract, including leading a team of attorneys, outside accountant experts, and DEN staff to review claims and costs and advise DEN leadership in negotiations; advised DEN regarding procurement and contracting for the “new” Great Hall team.
  • Negotiated and drafted contracts on many other subjects related to the airport, including planning and development, professional services, and permits; provided advice to DEN and the City Attorney’s Office regarding other contract and procurement issues, including serving on DEN’s procurement streamlining initiative.
  • Advised DEN regarding compliance with federal, state, and City law, including FAA regulations and policies, organized labor requirements, the Colorado Open Records Act, and the City’s Ethics Code.
  • Advised DEN regarding insurance coverage and claims for construction and professional services issues, including management of DEN’s Rolling Owner-Controlled Insurance Program.
  • As an Assistant City Attorney in the City Attorney’s Office, established and led a commercial litigation group to enforce City contracts, assert the City’s commercial interests, and defend claims challenging City policy-making and decisions, including those of City Council, the Mayor, and Auditor.
  • Conducted court trials of high-profile cases including a challenge to the City Park Golf Course renovation, elections and campaign finance lawsuits, eminent domain and other property claims by the City.
  • Represented the City’s Community Planning and Development department on zoning and land use matters, including at the Zoning Appeals Board and in enforcement of zoning and land use requirements.
  • Served as the primary attorney advising the Mayor’s Office and City agencies on the interpretation and policy related to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA).
  • Advised elected and appointed officials regarding the City’s Ethics Code and drafted and managed passage of revisions to the City’s debarment ordinance.

Resources and News

News

Presentations